Ptosis also referred to as droopy eyelids, is common and can result from trauma, age, or different medical disorders. If it affects one eye, people refer to it as unilateral ptosis and bilateral ptosis if both eyes are affected. It is one of those conditions that may come and go, but it can also be permanent. Surprisingly you can be born with the condition whereby it is identified as congenital ptosis. However, it can be developed over time, and it is the acquired ptosis. Depending on how severe the condition is, it could affect your eyesight. Droopy upper eyelids can block or significantly reduce vision. If you are dealing with ptosis in Peoria, you should know the signs associated with the condition to seek treatment early. The following are the top signs to watch out for:
Drooping eyelids
Having droopy upper eyelids is the most commonly recognized symptom of ptosis. If you have the condition, you may notice that one of your eyes is more open than the other. Likewise, one of the eyelids might be lower than the other. In most cases, if the difference is only slight and there are no other symptoms, it could be due to fatigue and should resolve by itself without treatment. However, watch out for other symptoms, and if they are becoming worrisome, schedule an appointment with a ptosis specialist.
Difficulty closing your eyes or blinking
If you find it hard to close your eyes comfortably or become uncomfortable to blink, something is wrong. In some cases, it could be ptosis, so the sooner you have a specialist check it, the better. Droopy eyelids affect the standard closing and blinking of the eyes and affect your night’s sleep if not addressed on time.
Dry or watery eyes
Ptosis prevents the eyelids from functioning correctly. Since they cannot close and open as effectively as they should, it becomes nearly impossible to keep the eyes moist. It results in either dry or watery eyes that can affect vision significantly. In the case of watery eyes, people may mistake it with crying when that is not the case. If they are dry, it can be pretty uncomfortable and painful in some cases.
Crossed eyes
Crossed eyes are a condition by themselves and are referred to as strabismus. However, it is associated with ptosis since the cranial nerve, which takes care of eyelid movement, is also tasked with eye alignment, movement, tracking, and focus. Eye muscles are closely related, and if something is wrong, it can affect several functions. If a condition affects the eyelids, there is a high possibility that it will also affect the eyeball. It is not guaranteed, though.
Eye fatigue
If you notice your eyes are getting tired frequently, you should schedule an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible. A droopy eyelid can cause abnormal fatigue, dryness, or watery eyes, all of which are symptoms of ptosis.
There is a high possibility to have ptosis that may clear away over time. However, sometimes it can persist until medical treatment is administered. It would help to know those droopy eyelids are not necessarily the only symptoms. Watch out for other signs and seek care as soon as you can.
